Costa Rica Island Travel

Costa Rica is an island that provides many of it's inhabitants and tourists with a great expanse of unique music, food ,culture, and scenery that most countries or islands in the Caribbean do not provide. However before you book your flight or scan any travel website for the best resort their are some things that you should know before traveling to this beautiful central American country. So if you are interested in traveling to Costa Rica and you want to know the small fyi"s then lets get started.

1. English is widely spoken in Costa Rica however it is not the primary language

Let's start with an easy one. Yes it is true that English is very much a prominent language that is spoken throughout parts of the country however, it is not the primary language of Costa Rica. Generally speaking English is well-spoken throughout the central American country though before visiting it would be a good idea if you decided to brush up on your Spanish even if you may be visiting a part that is heavily English speaking. Most any person with higher education or someone who works in tourism in Costa Rica will be fluent in English other than that it would handy to revisit Spanish and focus on the basic words and interactions.

2.San Jose is not as bad as people make it out to be 

San Jose is a city that has a bad reputation for being one of not so tourist friendly cities to travel in. Though yes their are crimes that do happen in San Jose (armed robbery, sexual assault, and homicide) and the capital city itself is not the most pleasing to the eye though their are some steals you could find from a travelers perspective in the city such as the National Theater and the plethora of museums that are offered to the public. Their are also some restaurants with good cuisine that are open to travelers as well.

3.Police can ask you about your papers at any time

This one is a hidden gem that not a majority of travelers know about. Though to be safe and cautious in Costa Rica this is something that for first time visitors should not only be stated and noted. Police in Costa Rica are legally aloud to stop you and ask you for your papers at any given time. Do not panic as long as you keep a valid form of identification, your passport (not a copy of any kind) , and a proper tourist stamp police will make sure you have all three of those and send you on your way. Most  law enforcement do have a degree of English so it makes it easy to communicate with travelers as well. 

Costa Rica: What makes it unique?

Costa Rica is a one of a kind when it comes to how it stacks up against the other countries/islands in the Caribbean. First it has one of the most rich and diverse biodiversity's in the world compared to others. The island is field with eye catching mammals such as jaguars, sloths, scarlet macaws and howler monkeys just to name a few. The mammals are inhabited widespread across the country and their are even parks and zoos you can visit to see these animals as well. The food and culture is unique to Costa Rica as well too. Gallo Pinto is one of it's most famous dishes which has a base of rice coupled with black beans, eggs (sunny side up), and your choice of vegetables (guacamole, tomatoes or salsa, and bell peppers. 

In conclusion Costa Rica is a great Island and for the average traveler makes for a great experience when you are able to take these tips and heads up before booking your resort or searching for a flight.

References

Source 1:Samantha, Yeison and. “17 Important Things to Know About Costa Rica Before You Go.” Mytanfeet.Com, Yeison and Samantha, 21 Apr. 2020, mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-travel-tips/15-things-to-know-about-costa-rica.

Source 2:Staff, Tcrn. “What Makes Costa Rica so Unique?” The Costa Rica News, 13 Jan. 2020, thecostaricanews.com/what-makes-costa-rica-so-unique/#:%7E:text=Costa%20Rica%20is%20one%20of,5%25%20of%20the%20world’s%20species.&text=Visitors%20find%20in%20Costa%20Rica,world%20heritage%20sites%20by%20UNESCO.